Kilmer Middle School Wins 2017 State Chess Championship (K-8)

Team wins 1st Place: The Kilmer Middle School Chess team won 1st place in the 2017 K-8 grade bracket in the Virginia State Chess Championships last weekend, held in Norfolk, Virginia. Five chess players represented the Kilmer team at the tournament: Justin Paul, Andy Huang, Garrett Heller, Saigautum Bonam and Conner Edgar.

Individual Awards: All 5 players won individual awards and trophies as well. Team Captain Justin Paul won 1st place overall. Andy Huang won second place overall. Garrett Heller won 10th place overall. Saigautum Bonam won 11th place overall. Conner Edgar, playing in his first ever chess tournament, won an award for finishing as the top overall “unrated” or novice player.

Coach of the Year: In an unusual move for a school chess team, rather than hire a professional chess coach, the Kilmer chess club is self-coached by four student co-coaches and co-founders of the chess club: Justin Paul, Andy Huang, Garrett Heller and Saigautum Bonam. The coach of the top team in the state automatically wins the title of Coach of the Year. So, in addition to the team and individual trophies, Justin, Andy, Garrett & Saigautum also won the Coach of the Year Award, and are bringing home a plaque for the school.

Blitz Chess Awards: In addition to the main event, there was also a Blitz Chess tournament (speed chess). The blitz tournament is grades K-12, so Kilmer was also competing against high schools. Even among the tough competition, the Kilmer team brought home the prize for 3rd place overall in the Blitz Chess State Championship. Also bringing home individual trophies for Blitz Chess, Justin Paul placed 3rd and Saigautum Bonam placed 6th.

Congratulations to the Kilmer Chess Team!

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